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Claims and Abstract availability

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English Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and methods for use in the selective disruption of lipid-rich cells by controlled cooling. The device comprises a treatment unit, 107, with a cooling/heating element, 110, for cooling or heating selected skin areas and a control unit, 105.

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.

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THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION FOR WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A device for selectively disrupting lipid rich cells in a non-infant human subject bycooling while, concurrently therewith, maintaining the subject's skin at a temperature whereby non-lipid rich cells are not disrupted, the device comprising:cooling means;at least one feedback device; anda control unit in communication with the at least one feedback device, the control unit programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to cool a local region of the subject's skin to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -10°C and about 25°C to selectively disrupt lipid rich cells of the region, while, concurrently therewith, maintaining the subject's skin at a temperature whereby non-lipid rich cells are not disrupted.2. The device of claim 1, wherein the cooling means is adapted for the application onto the subject's skin and includes a conductive cooling means.3. The device of claim 2, wherein the cooling means is actively cooled.4. The device of claim 3, wherein the cooling means comprises a thermoelectric cooling means.5. The device of claim 3, wherein the cooling means comprises a cooling agent circulating through the cooling means.6. The device of claim 3, wherein the cooling means comprises a conductive cooling means.7. The device of claim 6, wherein the conductive cooling means comprises a circulating cooling agent that contacts the subject's skin.

applied to the skin by suction.10. The device of claim 3, wherein the cooling means comprises means for applying a cooling liquid.11. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10,wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -15 and 35°C.12. The device of claim 11, wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -15 and 30°C.13. The device of claim 11, wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -15 and 25°C.14. The device of claim 11, wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -15 and 20°C.15. The device of claim 11, wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -15 and 15°C.16. The device of claim 11, wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -15 and 10°C.

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17. The device of claim 11, wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -15 and 5°C.18. The device of claim 11, wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -10 and 35°C.19. The device of claim 11, wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -10 and 30°C.20. The device of claim 11, wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -10 and 25°C.21. The device of claim 11, wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -10 and 20°C.22. The device of claim 11, wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -10 and 15°C.23. The device of claim 11, wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -10 and 10°C.24. The device of claim 11, wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -10 and 5°C.25. The device of claim 11, wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -5 and 20°C.26. The device of claim 11, wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -5 and 15°C.

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27. The device of claim 11, wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -5 and 10°C.28. The device of claim 11, wherein the control unit is programmed to maintain an average temperature of the cooling means between about -5 and 5°C.29. The device of claim 11, wherein the at least one feedback device is adapted to measure the temperature of the subject's skin and/or the temperature in the subject's skin and/or the temperature on the surface of the subject's skin; andwherein the control unit is further programmed to control the temperature of the cooling means such that the temperature of the subject's skin and/or the temperature in the subject's skin and/or the temperature on the surface of the subject's skin does not fall below a predetermined minimum temperature on the basis of the temperature of the subject's skin and/or the temperature in the subject's skin and/or the temperature on the surface of the subject's skin.30. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29, wherein the subject's skin comprises the epidermis, dermis or a combination thereof.31. The device of claim 29, wherein the predetermined minimum temperature is about -10°C.32. The device of claim 29, wherein the predetermined minimum temperature is about -5°C.33. The device of claim 29, wherein the predetermined minimum temperature is about 0°C.34. The device of claim 29, wherein the predetermined minimum temperature is about 5°C.

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35. The device of claim 29, wherein the predetermined minimum temperature is about 10°C.36. The device of claim 29, wherein the predetermined minimum temperature is about 15°C.37. The device of claim 29, wherein the predetermined minimum temperature is about 20°C.38. The device of claim 29, wherein the predetermined minimum temperature is about 30°C.39. The device of claim 29, wherein one or more of the at least one feedback device is located on a cooling surface of the cooling means.40. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39, wherein the cooling means has a skin contacting surface and/or a flat surface and/or a contoured surface.41. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39, wherein the cooling means is adapted to be applied to the subject's skin with a pressure that is approximately equal to or greater than the systolic blood pressure in the subject's dermis so as to decrease the blood flow within the dermis.42. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39, wherein the cooling means is adapted to be applied to the subject's skin with a pressure that is approximately equal to or less than the systolic blood pressure in the subject's dermis so as to decrease the blood flow within the dermis.

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43. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39, wherein the cooling means is adapted to be applied to the subject's skin with pressure in an amount sufficient to decrease the blood flow within the dermis.44. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39, wherein the cooling means is adapted to be applied to a fold in the subject's skin.45. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39, further comprising at least another cooling means, wherein the cooling means are adapted such that a fold in the subject's skin is pressured between the cooling means and a second cooling means when the device is applied.46. The device of any one of claims I to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39, wherein the at least one feedback device includes crystal detection means for obtaining feedback that crystals have formed in the lipid rich cells, which feedback is used by the control unit for controlling the temperature of the cooling means.47. The device of claim 46, wherein the crystal detection means is adapted to perform optical measurement.48. The device of claim 46, wherein the crystal detection means is adapted to perform mechanical measurement.49. The device of claim 46, wherein the crystal detection means is adapted to perform acoustical measurement.50. The device of claim 46, wherein the crystal detection means is adapted to perform tensile strength measurement.51. The device of claim 46, wherein the crystal detection means is adapted to perform ultrasound imaging.

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52. The device of claim 46, wherein the crystal detection means is adapted to perform viscosity measurement.53. The device of claim 46, wherein the crystal detection means is adapted to perform electrical measurement.54. The device of claim 46, wherein the crystal detection means is adapted to perform temperature measurement.55. The device of claim 54, wherein the temperature measurement comprises the use of non-invasive or invasive devices.56. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39 and 47 to 55, further comprising:means for providing a mechanical motion to the lipid rich cells prior to, simultaneous with, or following application of the cooling means.57. The device of claim 56, wherein the mechanical motion is provided by vibration.58. The device of claim 56, wherein the mechanical motion is provided by at least one pulsation.59. The device of claim 56, wherein the mechanical motion is provided by massage.60. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39 and 47 to 55 and 57 to 59, wherein the cooling means is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -10 and 20°C.

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61. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39 and 47 to 55 and 57 to 59, wherein the cooling means is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -10 and 15°C.62. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39 and 47 to 55 and 57 to 59, wherein the cooling means is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -10 and 10°C.63. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39 and 47 to 55 and 57 to 59, wherein the cooling means is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -10 and 4°C.64. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39 and 47 to 55 and 57 to 59, wherein the cooling means is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -4 and 25°C.65. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39 and 47 to 55 and 57 to 59, wherein the cooling means is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -4 and 20°C.66. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39 and 47 to 55 and 57 to 59, wherein the cooling means is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -4 and 15°C.67. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39 and 47 to 55 and 57 to 59, wherein the cooling means is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -4 and 10°C.

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68. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39 and 47 to 55 and 57 to 59, wherein the cooling means is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -4 and 4°C.69. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39 and 47 to 55 and 57 to 59, wherein the cooling means is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -2 and 25°C.70. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39 and 47 to 55 and 57 to 59, wherein the cooling means is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -2 and 20°C.71. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39 and 47 to 55 and 57 to 59, wherein the cooling means is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -2 and 15°C.72. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39 and 47 to 55 and 57 to 59, wherein the cooling means is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -2 and 10°C.73. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39 and 47 to 55 and 57 to 59, wherein the cooling means is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -2 and 4°C.74. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39 and 47 to 55 and 57 to 59, wherein the lipid rich cells are adipose cells within the subcutaneous tissue or cellulite.75. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 29 and 31 to 39 and 47 to 55 and 57 to 59, wherein the skin comprises the epidermis, dermis or a combination thereof.

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76. Use of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 75, to selectively disrupt lipid rich cells in a non-human infant subject.77. A cosmetic treatment method for treating a region of a subject's body to achieve a cosmetically beneficial reduction of subcutaneous adipose tissue, comprising:applying a cooling means at a defined area of the subject's skin in a local region where subcutaneous adipose tissue reduction is desired;utilizing at least one feedback device configured to provide feedback information pertaining to at least one physiological parameter of tissue of the subject; andcontrolling the cooling means via a control unit based on the feedback information received from the at least one feedback device whereby lipid rich cells in said local region are cooled to a temperature between about -10°C and about 25°C in a manner that selectively disrupts lipid rich cells therein, and, simultaneously therewith maintains the subject's skin at a temperature whereby non-lipid rich cells proximate to the cooling means are not disrupted.78. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are adipocytes within subcutaneous adipose tissue or cellulite.79. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are reduced in size.80. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are reduced in number.81. The method of claim 77, wherein the subject's skin comprises the epidermis, dermis or a combination thereof.82. The method of claim 77, wherein the cooling means includes a conductive cooling means.83. The method of claim 82, wherein the cooling means is actively cooled.

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84. The method of claim 83, wherein the cooling means includes a thermoelectric cooling means.85. The method of claim 82, wherein the cooling means includes a cooling agent circulating through the cooling means.86. The method of claim 77, wherein the cooling means includes a conductive cooling means.87. The method of claim 86, wherein the conductive cooling means includes a

circulating cooling agent that contacts the subject's skin.88. The method of claim 77, wherein the cooling means includes an evaporative cooling means.89. The method of claim 77, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature between about -15 and 35 °C.90. The method of claim 81, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature between about -15 and 30 °C.91. The method of claim 81, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature between about -15 and 25 °C.92. The method of claim 81, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature between about -15 and 20 °C.

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93. The method of claim 81, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature between about -15 and 15 °C.94. The method of claim 81, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature between about -15 and 10 °C.95. The method of claim 81, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature between about -15 and 5 °C.96. The method of claim 81, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature between about -10 and 35 °C.97. The method of claim 81, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature between about -10 and 30 °C.98. The method of claim 81, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature between about -10 and 25 °C.99. The method of claim 81, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature between about -10 and 20 °C.100. The method of claim 81, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature

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between about -10 and 15 °C.101. The method of claim 81, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature between about -10 and 10 °C.102. The method of claim 81, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature between about -10 and 5 °C.103. The method of claim 81, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature between about -5 and 20 °C.104. The method of claim 81, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature between about -5 and 15 °C.105. The method of claim 81, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature between about -5 and 10 °C.106. The method of claim 81, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature of between about -5 and 5 °C.107. The method of claim 81, wherein the temperature of the subject's skin is provided as feedback to ensure that the temperature therein is not cooled below a predetermined minimum temperature.108. The method of claim 107, wherein the subject's skin comprises the epidermis,

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dermis or a combination thereof.109. The method of claim 107, wherein the predetermined minimum temperature is

about -10 °C.110. The method of claim 107, wherein the predetermined minimum temperature is

about -5 °C.111. The method of claim 107, wherein the predetermined minimum temperature is

about 0 °C.112. The method of claim 107, wherein the predetermined minimum temperature is

about 5 °C.113. The method of claim 107, wherein the predetermined minimum temperature is

about 10 °C.114. The method of claim 107, wherein the predetermined minimum temperature is

about 15 °C.115. The method of claim 107, wherein the predetermined minimum temperature is

about 20 °C.116. The method of claim 107, wherein the at least one feedback device includes a temperature measuring mechanism located on or within the subject's skin.117. The method of claim 116, wherein the subject's skin comprises the epidermis, dermis or a combination thereof.118. The method of claim 77, wherein the temperature of the subject's subcutaneous

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adipose tissue is provided as feedback to ensure that the temperature in the dermal tissue is not cooled below a predetermined minimum temperature.119. The method of claim 107, wherein the at least feedback device includes a temperature measuring mechanism located on a cooling surface of the cooling element.120. The method of claim 77, wherein the cooling means has a skin contacting surface.121. The method of claim 77, wherein the cooling means has a flat surface.122. The method of claim 77, wherein the cooling means has a contoured surface.123. The method of claim 77, wherein the cooling means is applied to the subject's skin with a pressure that is approximately equal to or greater than the systolic blood pressure in the subject's dermis so as to decrease the blood flow within the dermis.124. The method of claim 77, wherein the cooling means is applied to the subject's skin with a pressure that is approximately equal to or less than the systolic blood pressure in the subject's dermis so as to decrease the blood flow within the dermis.125. The method of claim 77, wherein the cooling means is applied to the subject's skin with pressure in an amount sufficient to decrease the blood flow within the dermis.126. The method of claim 77, wherein the cooling means is applied to a fold in the subject's skin.127. The method of claim 126, wherein the fold in the subject's skin is pressured between the cooling means and a second cooling means.128. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled to a temperature between about -10 and 20 °C.

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129. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled to a temperature between about -10 and 15 °C.130. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled to a temperature between about -10 and 10 °C.131. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled to a temperature between about -10 and 4 °C.132. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled to a temperature between about -4 and 25 °C.133. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled to a temperature between about -4 and 20 °C.134. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled to a temperature between about -4 and 15 °C.135. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled to a temperature between about -4 and 10 °C.136. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled to a temperature between about -4 and 4 °C.137. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled to a temperature between about -2 and 25 °C.138. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled to a temperature between about -2 and 20 °C.

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139. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled to a temperature between about -2 and 15 °C.140. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled to a temperature between about -2 and 10 °C.141. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled to a temperature between about -2 and 4 °C.142. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled to a temperature between about 20 and 25 °C.143. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled for a time period between about 10 seconds and 30 minutes.144. The method of claim 77, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled for a time period between about 1 and 15 minutes.145. The method of claim 144, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled for a time period between about 1 and 10 minutes.146. The method of claim 144, wherein the lipid rich cells are cooled for a time period between about 1 and 5 minutes.147. The method of claim 77, wherein the disruption in lipid rich cells results from crystal formation therein.148. The method of claim 147, further comprising obtaining feedback that crystals have formed in the lipid rich cells.

53149. The method of claim 148, wherein the feedback that crystals have formed is provided by at least one of the group consisting of ultrasound imaging, optical measurement, mechanical measurement and acoustical measurement.150. The method of claim 149, wherein the mechanical measurement is of tensile

strength.151. The method of claim 148, wherein the feedback that crystals have formed is provided by a temperature feedback mechanism disposed in lipid rich cells.152. The method of claim 77, wherein the disruption of lipid rich cells results from metabolic changes therein.153. The method of claim 77, wherein a mechanical motion is provided to the lipid rich cells prior to, simultaneous with, or following application of the cooling element.154. The method of claim 153, wherein the mechanical motion is provided by vibration.155. The method of claim 153, wherein the mechanical motion comprises at least one pulsation.156. The method of claim 153, wherein the mechanical motion is provided by massage.157. The method of claim 77, further comprising applying a high-thermal-conductivity material to the subject's skin before applying the cooling means thereto.158. The method of claim 77, wherein the method is applied to the subject a plurality of times to achieve a desired reduction.159. The method of claim 158, wherein the plurality comprises 15 minute time intervals.

54160. The method of claim 158, wherein the plurality comprises 30 minute time intervals.161. The method of claim 158, wherein the plurality comprises 60 minute time intervals.162. The method of claim 158, wherein the plurality comprises 12 hour time intervals.163. The method of claim 158, wherein the plurality comprises 24 hour time intervals.164. The method of claim 158, wherein the plurality comprises time intervals spanning several days.165. The method of claim 158, wherein the plurality comprises time intervals spanning several weeks.166. A device for selectively disrupting lipid rich cells in a non-infant human subject by cooling comprising:cooling means for cooling creating a temperature gradient within a local region of the subject's skin;temperature measuring means adapted to measure the temperature of the subject's skin and/or the temperature in the subject's skin and/or the temperature on the surface of the subject's skin; anda temperature control unit in communication with the temperature measuring means, the temperature control unit programmed to control the temperature of the cooling means to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -10°C and about 25°C to selectively disrupt and thereby reduce lipid rich cells of the region, while concurrently therewith, maintaining the subject's skin at a temperature whereby non lipid rich cells are not disrupted.

55167. A device for selectively disrupting lipid rich cells in a non-infant human subject by cooling comprising:cooling means for cooling a local region of the subject's skin to selectively disrupt lipid rich cells of the region, while, concurrently therewith, maintaining the subject's skin at a temperature whereby non lipid rich cells are not disrupted, wherein the cooling means are adapted to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -10°C and about 25°C,a temperature control unit programmed to control the temperature of the cooling means to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -10°C and about 25°C, andtemperature measuring means which are adapted to measure the temperature of the subject's skin and/or the temperature in the subject's skin and/or the temperature on the surface of the subject's skin.168. Use of the device according to claim 166 or 167, to selectively disrupt lipid rich cells in a non-human infant subject.169. A method for controlling a medical device, in which the medical device includes a cooling element for cooling a local region containing the lipid rich cells, a detector for detecting a temperature related to a temperature of non lipid rich cells proximate to the cooling element, and a controller for controlling the cooling element and the detector, the method comprising:receiving a signal indicative of the detected temperature from the detector;andcontrolling, based on the detected temperature received, the cooling element to have a temperature that is low enough to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -10°C and about 25°C to selectively reduce the lipid rich cells of said local region but not so low so as to damage non-lipid rich cells proximate to the cooling element.

56170. The method of claim 169, wherein the lipid rich cells are adipocytes within subcutaneous adipose tissue or cellulite.171. The method of claim 169, wherein the cooling element is actively cooled.172. The method of claim 169, wherein the cooling element includes a thermoelectric cooling element.173. The method of claim 169, wherein the cooling clement includes a cooling agent circulating through the cooling element.174. The method of claim 169, wherein the cooling element includes a conductive cooling element.175. The method of claim 174, wherein the conductive cooling element includes a circulating cooling agent that contacts the non lipid rich cells.176. The method of claim 169, wherein the cooling element includes an evaporative cooling element.177. The method of claim 169, wherein the cooling element is maintained at an average temperature between about -15 and 20° C.178. The method of claim 169, wherein in the cooling element has a flat surface.179. The method of claim 169, wherein the cooling element is controlled for a time period between about 10 seconds and 30 minutes.180. The method of claim 169, wherein the method is applied a plurality of times.181. The method of claim 170, wherein in the cooling element has a contoured surface.182. A method for controlling a medical device for selective disruption of lipid rich cells, in which the medical device includes a cooling element for cooling a

57local region containing the lipid rich cells, a detector for detecting a temperature related to a temperature of the non lipid rich cells proximate to the cooling element, and a controller for controlling the cooling element and the detector, the method comprising:a) receiving a signal indicative of the detected temperature from the detector; andb) controlling, based on the detected temperature received, the cooling element by at least one of electronically regulating a thermoelectric cooling element included in the cooling element and controlling circulation of a cooling agent through the cooling element to have a temperature that is low enough to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -10°C and about 25°C to selectively reduce lipid rich cells therein but not so low as to damage non lipid rich cells proximate to the cooling element are not damaged.183. The method of claim 182, wherein the cooling element includes a thermoelectric cooling element.184. The method of claim 182, wherein the cooling element includes a cooling agent circulating through the cooling element.185. The method of claim 182, wherein the cooling element includes a conductive cooling element.186. The method of claim 182, wherein the cooling element includes an evaporative cooling element.187. The method of claim 182, wherein the cooling element is maintained at an average temperature between about -15 and 20° C.188. The method of claim 182, wherein in the cooling clement has a flat surface.189. The method of claim 182, wherein the cooling element is controlled for a time period between about 10 seconds and 30 minutes.

58190. The method of claim 182, wherein in the cooling element has a contoured surface.191. A method for controlling a medical device, in which the medical device includes a cooling element for cooling a local region containing the lipid rich cells, a detector for detecting a temperature related to a temperature of the non lipid rich cells proximate to the cooling element, and a controller for controlling the cooling element and the detector, the method comprising:receiving a signal indicative of the detected temperature from the detector;andcontrolling, based on the detected temperature received, the cooling element to have a temperature that is low enough to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -10°C and about 25°C to selectively reduce lipid rich cells in the subcutaneous adipose tissue and cause vasoconstriction but not so low so as to damage non lipid rich cells contacting the cooling element.192. The method of claim 191, further comprising controlling the cooling element by controlling a flow of at least one of an electrical current and a fluid flow through the cooling element.193. A device for selectively disrupting lipid rich cells in a non-infant human subject by cooling, the device comprising:cooling means;at least one feedback device; anda control unit in communication with the at least one feedback device, the control unit programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to cool a local region of the subject's skin to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -10°C and about 25°C to selectively disrupt and thereby reduce lipid rich cells of the region, while, concurrently therewith, maintaining the

subject's skin at a temperature whereby non-lipid rich cells are not disrupted; anda suction unit adapted to draw the region into thermal communication with the cooling element.

59194. The device of claim 193, further comprising:a treatment interface coupled with the suction unit and in thermal communication with the cooling means.195. The device of claim 194, wherein the treatment interface includes a curved surface.196. The device of claim 195, wherein the curved surface is a dome.197. The device of claim 196, wherein the suction unit is adapted to draw the region into the dome.198. The device of claim 193, further comprising:a vibrating device configured to physically manipulate the skin.199. The device of claim 193, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the cooling means to cool the lipid rich cells in the region to a temperature selected from the group consisting of: between about -4 and 25°C, between about -4 and 20°C, between about -4 and 15°C, between about -4 and 10°C, between about -4 and 4°C, between about -2 and 25°C, between about -2 and 20°C, between about -2 and 15°C, between about -2 and 10°C, between about -2 and 4°C, and between about 20 and 25°C.200. The device of claim 193, wherein the control unit is programmed to control the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature selected from the group consisting of: between about -15 and 20°C, between about -15 and 15°C, between about -15 and 10°C, between about -15 and 50°C, between about -10 and 20°C, between about -10 and 15°C, between about -10 and 10°C, between about -10 and 5°C, between about -5 and 20°C, between about -5 and 15°C, between about -5 and 10°C, and between about -5 and 5°C.

60201. The device of claim 166 or 167, wherein the control unit includes:storage means for storing instructions for controlling the operation of the cooling means to decrease the temperature within the region, such that lipid rich cells in the region are reduced while non-lipid cells in the epidermis are generally not reduced; anda processor device programmed to read and execute the instructions stored on the storage means.202. The device of claim 201, wherein the storage means is selected from the group consisting of: a memory device, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), a storage device, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-RW, a DVD-ROM and a DVD-RW.203. A device for selectively disrupting lipid rich cells in a non-infant human subject by cooling, while concurrently therewith, maintaining the subject's skin at a temperature whereby non-lipid rich cells are not disrupted, the device comprising: cooling means, at least one feedback device, and a control unit in communication with the at least one feedback device, the control unit configured to control the operation of the cooling means to cool a local region of the subject's skin to cool the lipid rich cells to a temperature between about -10°C and about 25°C to selectively disrupt lipid rich cells of the region, while, concurrently therewith, maintaining the subject's skin at a temperature whereby non-lipid rich cells are not disrupted, and wherein the device is configured to modify a shape of the local region to contour a surface of the local region within the device.204. The device of claim 203, wherein the cooling means is adapted for the application onto the subject's skin and includes a conductive cooling means.205. The device of claim 204, wherein the cooling means is actively cooled and

61contacts the subject's skin and/or an evaporative cooling means and/or cooling means applied to the skin by suction and/or means for applying a cooling liquid.206. The device of any one of claims 203 to 205, wherein the cooling means has a skin contacting surface and/or a flat surface and/or a contoured surface.207. The device of any one of claims 203 to 206, wherein the cooling means is adapted to be applied to the subject's skin with a pressure that is approximately equal to or greater than the systolic blood pressure in the subject's dermis so as to decrease the blood flow within the dermis.208. The device of any one of claims 203 to 207, wherein the cooling means is adapted to be applied to the subject's skin with a pressure that is approximately equal to or less than the systolic blood pressure in the subject's dermis so as to decrease the blood flow within the dermis.209. The device of any one of claims 203 to 208, wherein the cooling means is adapted to be applied to the subject's skin with pressure in an amount sufficient to decrease the blood flow with the dermis.210. The device of any one of claims 203 to 209, wherein the at least one feedback device includes crystal detection means for obtaining feedback that crystals have formed in the lipid rich cells, which feedback is used by the control unit for controlling the temperature of the cooling means.211. The device of claim 210, wherein the crystal detection means is adapted to perform at least one of the following measurements: optical measurement, mechanical measurement, acoustical measurement, tensile strength measurement, ultrasound imaging, viscosity measurement, electrical measurement or temperature measurement.

62212. The device of claim 211, wherein the temperature measurement comprises the use of non-invasive or invasive devices.213. The device of any one of claims 203 to 211, further comprising:means for providing a mechanical motion to the lipid rich cells prior to, simultaneous with, or following application of the cooling means.214. The device of claim 213, wherein the mechanical motion is provided by vibration and/or wherein the mechanical motion comprises at least one pulsation and/or wherein the mechanical motion is provided by massage.215. The device of any one of claims 203 to 214, wherein the cooling means is adapted to cool the lipid rich cells to or a temperature between about -10°C and 20°C, or a temperature between about -10°C and 15°C, or a temperature between about -10°C and 10°C, or a temperature between about -10°C and 4°C, a temperature between about -4°C and 25°C, or a temperature between about -4°C and 20°C, or a temperature between about -4°C and 15°C, or a temperature between about -4°C and 10°C, or a temperature between about -4°C and 4°C, or a temperature between about -2°C and 25°C, or a temperature between about -2°C and 20°C, or a temperature between about -2°C and 15°C, or a temperature between about -2°C and 10°C, or a temperature between about -2°C and 5°C.216. The device of any of claims 203 to 215, wherein the lipid rich cells are adipose cells within the subcutaneous tissue or cellulite.217. The device of claim 203, further comprising:a treatment unit coupled to the cooling means;a suction unit coupled to the treatment unit;a treatment interface within the treatment unit; anda chamber within the treatment unit;wherein the suction unit is adapted to draw air from the chamber and thereby pullskin into the chamber and into contact with the treatment interface.

63218. The device of claim 217, wherein the suction unit is adapted to draw the region into thermal communication with the cooling means.219. The device of claim 217, wherein the suction unit is adapted to draw air to pull the subject's skin up.220. The device of claim 217, wherein the treatment interface has a curved surface.221. The device of claim 220, wherein the curved surface forms a dome.222. The device of any one of claims 203 to 221, wherein the control unit is further programmed to control the operation of the cooling means to maintain the cooling means at an average temperature between about -15°C and 35°C, or between about -15°C and 30°C, or between about -15°C and 25°C, or between about -15°C and 20°C, or between about -15°C and 15°C, or between about -15°C and 10°C, or between about -15°C and 5°C, or between about -10°C and 35°C, or between about -10°C and 30°C, or between about -10°C and 25°C, or between about -10°C and 20°C, or between about -10°C and 15°C, or between about -10°C and 10°C, or between about -10°C and 5°C, or between about -5°C and 20°C, or between about -5°C and 15°C, or between about -5°C and 10°C, or between about -5°C and 5°C.223. The device of any one of claims 203 to 222, wherein the control unit includes hardware and/or software means.

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.

CA 02478887 2009-06-161TITLE OF THE INVENTIONMETHODS AND DEVICES FOR SELECTIVE DISRUPTION OF FATTY TISSUE BY CONTROLLED COOLING 10 STATEMENT OF RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLYSPONSORED RESEARCH Not applicable.FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to methods for use in the selective disruption oflipid-rich cells by controlled cooling. The present invention further relates to a device for use in carrying out the methods for selective disruption of lipid-rich cells by controlled cooling. Other aspects of the invention are described in or are obvious from the following disclosure (and within the ambit of the invention). 25. -

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/080142BACKGROUND The subcutaneous fatty tissue of newborns is unusually sensitive to the cold. In newborns, the intracellular lipid content of the subcutaneous fat cells, or "adipocytes,"comprises increased ratios of highly saturated triglycerides. Even moderately coldtemperatures can adversely affect cells having a highly saturated lipid content,rendering newborn subcutaneous fatty tissue vulnerable to adipocyte necrosis following exposure to the cold. Hypothermia of subcutaneous fatty tissue can result in associated inflammation of the dermis and/or epidermis. For example, disorders of cold panniculitis in newborns are known to produce painful skin lesions. As newborns mature, the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids amongintracellular triglycerides of adipocytes gradually decreases. Having a higher content of unsaturated fatty acids is more protective against the cold, and the occurrence of cold panniculitis in infants gradually subsides. For detailed reviews on the subject of cold panniculitis, see Epstein et al. (1970) New England J. of Med. 282(17):966-67; Duncanet al. (1966) Arch. Derm. 94:722-724; Kellum et al. (1968) Arch. Derm. 97:372-380;Moschella, Samuel L. and Hurley, Harry J. (1985) Diseases of the Corium and Subcutaneous Tissue. In Dermatology (W.B. Saunders Company):1169 ¨1181; John C

epidermal cells, for instance, are relatively low in unsaturated fatty acids compared to the underlying adipocytes that form the subcutaneous fatty tissue. For a detailed review of the composition of fatty tissue in mammals, see Renold, Albert E. and Cahill, Jr.,George F. (1965) Adipose Tissue. In Handbook of Physiology (American PhysiologySociety):170-176. As a result, the different cell types, e.g., lipid-rich and non-lipid-rich cells, have varying degrees of susceptibility to the cold. In general, non-lipid-rich cells can withstand colder temperatures than lipid-rich cells.It would be highly desirable to selectively and non-invasively damageadipocytes of the subcutaneous fatty tissue without causing injury to the surroundingdermal and epidermal tissue. Both health and cosmetic benefits are known to result

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/080143from reduction of fatty tissue, however, current methods, such as liposuction, involve invasive procedures with potentially life threatening risks (e.g., excessive bleeding, pain, septic shock, infection and swelling).Current methods for non-invasive removal of subcutaneous fatty tissue includethe use of radiant energy and cooling solutions. U.S. Patent No.s 5,143,063, 5,507,790and 5,769,879 describe methods for using radiant energy to reduce subcutaneous fatty tissue, however, the applied energy levels are difficult to control and often there is collateral damage to the dermis and/or epidermis. Cooling solutions proposed by WO 00/44346 do not stabilize skin surface temperatures and therefore, also fail to adequately protect against collateral damage to the dermis and/or epidermis.A previous study conducted in Guinea Pigs described the removal of subcutaneous fatty tissue by cryo-damage. Burge, S. and Dawber, R. (1990)Cryobiology 27:153=163. However this result was achieved using relatively aggressive cooling modalities (e.g., liquid nitrogen), which induced epidermal damage. Ideally,removal of subcutaneous fatty tissue by cooling would not cause associated damage tothe epidermis.Temperature controlled methods and devices for selectively damaging lipid-rich

cells (e.g., adipocytes comprising the subcutaneous fatty tissue) without causing injury to non lipid-rich cells (e.g., dermis and/or epidermis) were heretofore unknown. SUMMARYIt has now been shown that adipose tissue comprising lipid-rich cells can be selectively disrupted without causing injury to the surrounding non lipid-rich tissue(e.g., dermal and epidermal tissue) by controlling the temperature and/or pressure applied to the respective tissues.In one aspect, the invention relates to a cooling method for selective disruption of lipid-rich cells in a non-infant human subject comprising applying a cooling element proximal to the subject's skin to create a temperature gradient within a local region sufficient to selectively disrupt and thereby reduce the lipid-rich cells of said region,and, concurrently therewith maintain the subject's skin at a temperature wherein nonlipid-rich cells proximate to the cooling element are not disrupted.

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/080144In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for treating a region of a subject's body to achieve a desired reduction in subcutaneous adipose tissue, comprising a) applying a cooling element proximal to the subject's skin in the region where subcutaneous adipose tissue reduction is desired to create a temperature gradientwithin said region sufficient to selectively disrupt lipid-rich cells therein, and,simultaneously therewith maintain the subject's skin at a temperature wherein non lipid-rich cells proximate to the cooling element are not disrupted; b) repeating the application of the cooling element to the subject's skin of step (a) a plurality of times until the desired reduction in subcutaneous adipose tissue has been achieved.In another aspect, the invention relates to a device for selectively disruptinglipid-rich cells in a non-infant human subject by cooling comprising: means for creating a temperature gradient within a local region of the subject's skin to selectively disrupt and thereby reduce lipid-rich cells of the region, while, concurrently therewith, maintaining the subject's skin at a temperature whereby non lipid-rich cells are not disrupted.In one embodiment, the invention relates to an apparatus for locally reducing lipid-rich cells, comprising a treatment device operable to receive a cooling agent; a cooling agent source connected to the treatment device for supplying said cooling agent; a control unit coupled to the treatment device and the cooling agent source forcontrolling a cooling temperature of said cooling agent, wherein said treatment deviceexposes target tissue to said cooling agent, which selectively induces damage to lipid-rich cells at said target tissue.In another embodiment, the invention further relates to an apparatus for locally reducing lipid-rich cells, comprising a means for setting a cooling agent to apredetermined temperature; and a means for applying said cooling agent to target tissue,whereby the cooling agent selectively induces damage to lipid-rich cells at said target tissue.In this disclosure, "comprises," "comprising," "containing" and "having" and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law and can mean"includes," "including," and the like; "consisting essentially of' or "consists essentially"likewise has the meaning ascribed in U.S. Patent law and the term is open-ended,

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/08014allowing for the presence of more than that which is recited so long as basic or novel characteristics of that which is recited is not changed by the presence of more than that which is recited, but excludes prior art embodiments.These and other objects and embodiments are described in or are obvious from5 and within the scope of the invention, from the following Detailed Description.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure lA illustrates a treatment system.Figure 1B depicts a diagram illustrating a configuration of control unit. Figure 1C depicts a diagram showing cooling/heating element.Figure 1D illustrates a flat cooling treatment system with a probe controller.Figure 2A illustrates a treatment system for cooling lipid-rich cells within a skin fold. Figure 2B illustrates a treatment system for cooling lipid-rich cells within a skin fold with a probe controller. Figure 3A illustrates a treatment system that includes a suction unit.Figure 4 illustrates a treatment system that is combined with suction system to provide treatment of an isolated area.Figure 5A, B illustrate a treatment system which can enclose circumferentially a target tissue mass.Figure 6 depicts an image of the skin surface showing indentation after 17 days at someareas matching cold exposure sites.Figure 7 depicts histology of the subcutaneous adipose tissue 17 days after cold exposure (Pig II, Site E). Figure 7A shows the low magnification view and Figure 7B shows the high magnification view.Figure 8A, B depicts Site C; 8 C, D depicts Site E; and 8 E, F depicts Site F; each ofwhich show histology of the subcutaneous adipose tissue 17 days after cold exposure (Pig II, Site C, E and F).Figure 9 depicts an image of the device used to administer cooling to Pig III.Figure 10A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J depicts temperature plots of the exposure sites1, 2, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 18 of Pig III in various tissue depths.Figure 11 depicts an ultrasound image of test Site 11, 3.5 months after exposure.

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/080146Figure 12A, B depicts histology of test Site 8, 6 days after exposure. Figure 12C, D depicts histology of test Site 9 (control).Figure 13A, B, C, D, and E depicts macroscopic sections through the center of test Sites 1, 3, 11, 12 and 18, 3.5 months after exposure. DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe present invention relates to a method for locally reducing adipose tissuecomprising applying a cooling element to a subject at a temperature sufficient to selectively disrupt lipid-rich cells, wherein the temperature does not produce unwantedeffects in non lipid-rich cells. Preferably, the cooling element is coupled to or containsa cooling agent.In one aspect, the invention relates to a cooling method for selective disruption of lipid-rich cells in a non-infant human subject comprising applying a cooling element proximal to the subject's skin to create a temperature gradient within a local regionsufficient to selectively disrupt and thereby reduce the lipid-rich cells of said region,and, concurrently therewith maintain the subject's skin at a temperature wherein non lipid-rich cells proximate to the cooling element are not disrupted.In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for treating a region of a subject's body to achieve a desired reduction in subcutaneous adipose tissue,comprising a) applying a cooling element proximal to the subject's skin in the regionwhere subcutaneous adipose tissue reduction is desired to create a temperature gradient within said region sufficient to selectively disrupt lipid-rich cells therein, and, simultaneously therewith maintain the subject's skin at a temperature wherein non lipid-rich cells proximate to the cooling element are not disrupted; b) repeating theapplication of the cooling element to the subject's skin of step (a) a plurality of timesuntil the desired reduction in subcutaneous adipose tissue has been achieved.Cooling elements of the present invention can contain cooling agents in the formof a solid, liquid or gas. Solid cooling agents can comprise, for example thermal conductive materials, such as metals, metal plates, glasses, gels and ice or ice slurries.Liquid cooling agents can comprise, for example, saline, glycerol, alcohol, orwater/alcohol mixtures. Where the cooling element includes a circulating cooling

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/080147agent, preferably the temperature of the cooling agent is constant. Salts can be combined with liquid mixtures to obtain desired temperatures. Gasses can include, for example, cold air or liquid nitrogen.In one embodiment, cooling elements can be applied such that direct contact ismade with a subject, via either the agent or the element. In another embodiment, directcontact is made via the agent alone. In yet another embodiment, no direct contact is made via either the agent or the element; cooling is a carried out by proximal

positioning of the cooling element and/or agent.Preferably, the temperature of the cooling agent is less than about 37 C, but not less than -196 C (i.e, the temperature of liquid nitrogen).Preferably, the temperature range of the administered cooling element is between about 40 C and -15 C, even more preferably between 4 C and -10 C if the cooling agent is a liquid or a solid. Generally, the cooling element is preferably maintained at an average temperature of between about ¨15 C and about 35 C, 30 C, 25 C, 20 C, 15 C, 10 C, or 5 C; about ¨10 C and about 35 C, 30 C, 25 C, 20 C,15 C, 10 C, or 5 C; about ¨15 C and about 20 C, 15 C, 10 C, or 5 C.The cooling element and/or agent can be applied for up to two hours. Preferably, the cooling element is applied for between 1 to 30 minutes. The cooling element can be applied for at least one hundred milliseconds (e.g., shorter durations areenvisioned, for instance, with sprays). For example, liquid nitrogen can be applied invery short intervals (e.g., about 1 second), repeatedly (e.g., about 10-100 times) and between applications, a temperature that does not cause epidermal damage is maintained (e.g., about 0 C to -10 C, depending on the length of exposure). In a gentle cooling regime, for example, the liquid nitrogen can be sprayed from a distance (e.g.,from about 10 to 30 cm) wherein some portion of the liquid nitrogen droplets evaporateduring the spraying and/or mix with ambient air.Cooling elements and/or agents of the present invention are applied, for example, to the skin surface through either direct or indirect contact. A subject's skin comprises the epidermis, dermis or a combination thereof. The cooling element and/or agent is a non-toxic cooling agent when applied directly to the skin surface.

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/080148The cooling element and/or agent can be applied more than once, for example, in repetitious cycles. The cooling agent can be applied in a pulsed or continuous manner. The cooling element and/or agent can be applied by all conventional methods known in the art, including topical application by spray if in liquid form, gas orparticulate solid material. Preferably, application is by external means, however,cooling elements and/or agents of the present invention can also be applied subcutaneously by injection or other conventional means. For example, the cooling agent can be applied directly to the subcutaneous tissue and then either removed after contact or left in the subcutaneous tissue to achieve thermal equilibration and thereforecooling of the lipid-rich tissue (e.g., subcutaneous injection of a liquid cooling agent orof small cooling particles, such as pellets or microbeads).Preferably, methods of the present invention are non-invasive (e.g., superficial, laparoscopic or topical procedures not requiring invasive surgical techniques).The cooling element and/or agent can be applied to one defined area or multipleareas. Spatial distribution of the cooling element and/or agent can be controlled asneeded. Generally, the dimension of the surface area (e.g., where the cooling agent is in contact with the skin) should be at least three times the depth of subcutaneous fatty tissue that is targeted for cooling. Preferably, the minimum diameter of the surface area is at least 1 cm2. Even more preferably, the diameter of the surface area is between 3 to20 cm2. Determination of the optimal surface area will require routine variation ofseveral parameters. For example, larger surface areas, such as those over 3500 cm2, can be cooled according to the methods of the present invention if hypothermia is prevented by additional means. Hypothermia can be prevented by compensating for the heat transfer away from the body at other sites (e.g., applying warm water at one ormore additional sites). Multiple cooling elements and/or agents can be employed, forexample, in contacting larger surface areas (e.g., greater than 3500 cm2).The cooling element and/or agent can follow the contour of the area to which it is applied. For example, a flexible apparatus can be used to follow the contour of the surface area where cooling is applied. The apparatus can also modify the shape of thecontacted surface such that the surface is contoured around or within the cooling agentor the apparatus containing the cooling agent upon contact. The cooling element and/or

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/080149agent can contact more than one surface at once, for example, when the surface is folded and contacted on either side by the cooling element and/or agent. Preferably, a skin fold is contacted on both sides by the cooling element and/or agent to increase the efficiency of cooling. Preferably, the solid cooling element and/or agent is shaped to enhancethermodynamic heat exchange ("thermal exchange") at the contacted surface (e.g., skin surface). In order to enhance conduction, a liquid can be used at the interface between the solid cooling agent and the contacted surface.Where necessary, application of the cooling element and/or agent can becoupled with use of a pain management agent, such as an anesthetic or analgesic(cooling alone has analgesic properties, thus use of additional pain management agents is optional). Local anesthetics, for example, can be topically applied at the point of contact either before, after or during application of the cooling agent. Where necessary, systemic administration of the anesthetic can be provided through conventionalmethods, such as injection or oral administration. The temperature of the cooling agentcan be changed during the treatment, for example, so that the cooling rate is decreased in order to provide a treatment causing less discomfort. In addition, methods of the present invention can be performed in combination with other fat reduction procedures known in the art, such as liposuction. Preferably, lipid-rich cells of the present invention are adipocytes withinsubcutaneous fatty tissue or cellulite. Thus, lipid-rich cells comprising the subcutaneous adipose tissue are targeted for disruption by methods of the present invention. In addition, it is within the ambit of the invention to target disruption of lipid-rich cells comprising adventicia surrounding organs or other internal anatomicalstructures.The intracellular lipids of adipocytes are confined within the paraplasmatic vacuole. There are univacular and plurivacular adipocytes within the subcutaneous fatty tissue. Most are univacular, and greater than about 100um in diameter. This size can increase dramatically in obese subjects due to an increase in intracellular lipid content.-

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/08014Preferably, lipid-rich cells of the present invention have a total intracellular lipid content of between 20-99 %. Preferably, lipid-rich cells of the present invention have an intracellular lipid content comprised of about 20- 50% saturated triglycerides, and even more preferably about 30-40% saturated triglycerides. Intracellular triglycerides5 include, but are not limited to, saturated fatty acids e.g., myristic, palmitic and stearicacid; monounsaturated fatty acids, e.g., palmitoleic and oleic acid; and polyunsaturated fatty acids e.g., linoleic and linolenic acid.Preferably, lipid-rich cells of the present invention are located within subcutaneous adipose tissue. The saturated fatty acid composition of subcutaneous10 adipose tissue varies at different anatomical positions in the human body. For example,human subcutaneous adipose tissue in the abdomen can have the following composition of saturated fatty acids: myristic (2.6 %), palmitic (23.8 %), palmitoleic (4.9%), stearic (6.5%), oleic (45.6%), linoleic (15.4 %) and linolenic acid (0.6%). The subcutaneous adipose tissue of the abdominal area can comprise about 35% saturated fatty acids.This is comparatively higher than the buttock area, which can comprise about 32%saturated fatty acids. At room temperature, saturated fatty acids of the abdominal area are in a semisolid state as a result of the higher fatty acid content. The buttock area is not similarly affected. Malcom G. et al., (1989) Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 50(2):288-91. One skilled in the art can modify temperature ranges or application times as necessary toaccount for anatomical differences in the response to cooling methods of the presentinvention.Preferably, non lipid-rich cells of the present invention have a total intracellularlipid content of less than 20%, and/or are not disrupted by cooling methods of the present invention. Preferably, non lipid-rich cells of the present invention include cellshaving an intracellular lipid content comprising less than about 20% highly saturatedtriglycerides, even more preferably less than about 7-10% highly saturated triglycerides. Non lipid-rich cells include, but are not limited to, those surrounding the subcutaneous fatty tissue, such as cells of the vasculature, peripheral nervous system, epidermis (e.g., melanocytes) and dermis (e.g., fibrocytes).

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801411Damage to the dermis and/or epidermis that is avoided by the methods of the present invention can involve, for example, inflammation, irritation, swelling, formation of lesions and hyper or hypopigmentation of melanocytes.Without being bound by theory, it is believed that selective disruption of lipid-rich cells results from localized crystalization of highly saturated fatty acids uponcooling at temperatures that do not induce crystalization of highly saturated fatty acids in non lipid-rich cells. The crystals rupture the bilayer membrane of lipid-rich cells, causing necrosis. Thus, damage of non lipid-rich cells, such as dermal cells, is avoided at temperatures that induce crystal formation in lipid-rich cells. It is also believed thatcooling induces lipolysis (e.g., metabolism) of lipid-rich cells, further enhancing thereduction in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Lipolysis may be enhanced by local cold exposure inducing stimulation of the symapthetic nervous system.In one embodiment, the temperature of the lipid-rich cells is not less than about - 10 C. Preferably, the temperature of the lipid-rich cells is between -10 C and 37 C.More preferably, the temperature of the lipid-rich cells is between -4 C and 20 C. Evenmore preferably, the temperature of the lipid-rich cells is between -2 C and 15 C. Preferably, the lipid-rich cells are cooled to less than 37 C, for up to two hours. Generally, the lipid-rich cells are preferably maintained at an average temperature of between about ¨10 C and about 37 C, 35, 30 C, 25 C, 20 C, 15 C, 10 C, or 4 C; about¨4 C and about 35 C, 30 C, 25 C, 20 C, 15 C, 10 C, or 4 C; about ¨2 C and about 35, C, 25 C, 20 C, 15 C, 10 C, or 5 C.In yet another embodiment, the temperature range of the lipid-rich cellsoscillates between 37 C and -10 C. Methods of pulse cooling followed by brief periods of warming can be used to minimize collateral damage to non lipid-rich cells. More25 preferably, the temperature range of the lipid-rich cells oscillates between -8 C and33 C. Even more preferably, the temperature range of the lipid-rich cells oscillates between -2 C and 15 C. The temporal profile of the cooling of the skin can be performed in one continuous cooling act or in multiple cooling cycles or actually a combination of cooling with active heating cycles.

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801412Cooling methods of the present invention advantageously eliminate unwanted effects in the epidermis. In one embodiment, the temperature of the epidermis is not less than about -15 C. Preferably, the temperature of the epidermis is between about - C and 35 C. More preferably, the temperature of the epidermis is between about -5 5 C and 10 C. Even more preferably, the temperature of the epidermis is betweenabout -5 C and 5 C.Cooling methods of the present invention advantageously eliminate unwanted effects in the dermis. In one embodiment, the temperature of the dermis is not less than about -15 C. Preferably, the temperature of the dermis is between about -10 C and10 20 C. More preferably, the temperature of the dermis is between about -8 C and 15 C.Even more preferably, the temperature of the dermis is between about -5 C and 10 C. In a preferred embodiment, the lipid-rich cells are cooled to about -5 C to 5 C for up to two hours and the dermal and epidermal cells maintain an average temperature of about 0 C. In a most preferred embodiment, the lipid-rich cells are cooled to about ¨5 to 15 C for times ranging from about a minute, up to about two hours.Methods of the present invention can be applied in short intervals (e.g., 1 minute, 5 minute, 15 minute, 30 minute and 60 minute time intervals) or long intervals (e.g., 12 hour and 24 hour time intervals). Preferably intervals are between 5 and 20 minutes. Heat can optionally be applied between intervals of cooling. Feedback mechanisms can be employed to monitor and control temperatures inthe skin (i.e., dermis, epidermis or a combination thereof) subcutaneous adipose tissue. A feedback mechanism can monitor the temperature of a subject's skin to ensure that the temperature therein in does not fall below a predetermined minimum temperature, for example, about ¨10 C to about 30 C. A non-invasive device can be externallyapplied to measure surface temperature at the point of contact and/or the surroundingregion. An invasive device, such as a thermocouple, can be used to measure internal temperatures.Feedback mechanisms can include all known in the art to monitor temperature and/or crystal formation: Crystal formation can be measured, for example by

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801413ultrasound imaging and acoustical, optical, and mechanical measurements. Mechanical measurements can include, for example, measurements of tensile strength.In one embodiment, a multilayer model can be employed to estimate temperature profiles over time and within different depths. Temperature profiles are designed to produce a temperature gradient within the tissue, having a lowertemperature at the surface. In a preferred embodiment, temperature profiles are designed to minimize blood flow during cooling. Feedback mechanisms comprising, for example, thermocouples, ultrasound (e.g., to detect phase changes of the subcutaneous adipose tissue) or shock wave propagation (e.g., propagation of a shockwave is altered if a phase transition occurs) can be employed to achieve optimaltemperature gradients.Substantial cooling of the subcutaneous adipose layer, for example to a target

temperature between about ¨5 C and 15 C, by cooling at the skin surface has several requirements. Heat extracted from the skin surface establishes a temperature gradientwithin the skin, which in turn cools first the epidermis, dermis, and finally subcutaneousadipose layers. Dermal blood flow brings heat from the body core to the dermis. Dermal blood flow can therefore severely limit cooling of the deep dermis and subcutaneous adipose. Therefore, it is strongly preferred to temporarily limit or eliminate cutaneous blood flow, for example by locally applying a pressure to the skingreater than the systolic blood pressure, while cooling as a treatment to achievereduction in subcutaneous adipose. A general requirement is that the time of cooling at the skin surface must be long enough to allow heat to flow from the dermis and

subcutaneous adipose layers in order to achieve the desired temperature for treatment of the same. When the subcutaneous adipose is cooled to a temperature below that forcrystallization of its lipids, the latent heat of freezing for these lipids must also beremoved, by diffusion. The skin surface cooling temperature and cooling time can be adjusted to control depth of treatment, for example the anatomical depth to which subcutaneous adipose is affected. Heat diffusion is a passive process, and the body core temperature is nearly always close to 37 C. Therefore, another general requirement isthat the skin surface temperature during cooling, must be lower than the desired target

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801414(e.g., adipocytes) temperature for treatment of the region, for at least part of the time during which cooling is performed.When cooling a diameter of skin greater than about 2 cm, and with no bloodflow, one-dimensional heat diffusion offers a good approximation for estimatingtemperature profiles in skin over time during cooling. Heat diffusion is governed by thegeneral diffusion equation, 8T/6t = K 82T/622, where T (z,t) is the temperature in skin as a function of depth z and time t, and i is the thermal diffusivity, which is approximately 1.3 x 10-3 cm2s4 for skin tissue. Solutions and approximate solutions to the heat diffusion equation have been made for planar geometry of a semi-infinite slab,approximating the situation for skin. When the surface of the skin (z = 0) is held at agiven lower temperature, a useful approximation is that heat flow from a depth z requires a time of approximately t z2 to achieve a temperature difference 1/2 of the initial difference, where t is in seconds and z is in millimeters. Thus, z2 can be considered an approximate value for a thermal time constant. For example, if the initialskin temperature is 30 C, and ice at 0 C is placed firmly against the skin surface, itrequires about 1 second for the temperature at a depth of 1 millimeter, to reach about 15 C. The subcutaneous fat layer typically begins at about z 3 mm, and extends for millimeters up to many centimeters thick. The thermal time constant for heat transfer from the top of the subcutaneous adipose layer, is therefore about 10 seconds. Toachieve substantial cooling of subcutaneous adipose, at least several and preferablygreater than 10 thermal time constants of cooling time are required. Therefore, cooling must be maintained for about 30-100 seconds at the skin surface, and in the absence of dermal blood flow, for the temperature of the topmost portion of subcutaneous adipose to approach that of the cooled skin surface. The latent heat of crystallization for lipids,mentioned above, must also be removed when the fat temperature drops below that forcrystallization. Therefore in general, cooling times over 1 minute are desired, and cooling times greater than about 1 minute can be used to adjust the depth of adipocytes affected, for times up to more than an hour.Accordingly, in yet another embodiment, the dermis is cooled at a rate sufficientto induce vasoconstriction. Blood circulation within the dermis stabilizes the

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/08014temperature of the dermis close to body temperature. In order to cool subcutaneous adipose tissue to temperatures below body temperature, blood flow can be minimized. Fast cooling of the epidermal surface can achieve reflectory vasoconstriction that limits blood circulation in an appropriate way.5 In yet another embodiment, a vasoconstrictive drug is administered to inducevasoconstriction. Vasoconstrictive drugs, for example, can be topically applied at the point of contact either before, after or during application of the cooling agent. Where necessary, systemic administration of the vasoconstrictive drug can be provided through conventional methods, such as injection or oral administration. The vasoconstrictiveto drug can be any known in the art. Preferably, the vasoconstrictive drug is EMLA creamor epinephrine.In yet another embodiment, pressure is applied to a surface, either at the point of contact with the cooling agent or in proximity thereto, such that lateral blood flow is limited. Pressure can be applied, for example, to a skin surface by compressing the skin15 surface into a skin fold comprising single or multiple folds. Pressure can also be byapplying a vaccum either at the point of contact with the cooling agent or in proximity thereto.Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the rate of formation of crystals in lipid-rich cells can be altered by the application of pressure during thecooling process. Sudden crystalization, rather than a slow accumulation of crystals,would cause greater damage to the lipid-rich cells. It is also believed that the application of pressure can force the movement of the crystals within the lipid-rich cells, enhancing the damage to the bilayer membrane. Furthermore, different compartments of the subcutaneous adipose tissue have different viscosities. In general,the viscositiy is enhanced at colder tempertures (e.g., those particulary close to the pointof phase change). Because the phase change for lipid-rich cells occurs at higher temperatures than non lipid-rich cells, non-uniform tension lines form within the subcutaneous adipose tissue upon the application of pressure. It is believed that pronounced damage occurs within these tension lines.In yet another aspect, the temperature of the dermis and/or epidermis oscillatesbetween 35 C and -15 C. More preferably, the temperature of the dermis and/or

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801416epidermis oscillates between -10 C and 10 C. Even more preferably, the temperature of the dermis and/or epidermis oscillates between -8 C and 8 C. Oscillating temperatures at the skin surface can provide intermittent warming to counteract potential side effects of the cooling process (e.g., crystal formation in the dermal or epidermal cells).In yet another aspect, application of the cooling agent is coupled with the application of electric or acoustic fields, either constant or oscillating in time, localized in the dermis and/or epidermis to reduce or eliminate crystal formation therein.Figure 1A illustrates a treatment system 100 for cooling a target area inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in Figure 1A, treatmentsystem 100 may include a control unit 105 and a treatment unit 107, which may include=a cooling/heating element 110 and a treatment interface 115.Control unit 105 may include a power supply, for example, control unit may be coupled to a power source, for supplying power to treatment unit 107. Control unit 105can also include a computing device having control hardware and/or software forcontrolling, based on inputted properties and/or parameters, cooling/heating element 110 and treatment interface 115. Treatment interface 115 can include a detector 120.Figure 1B is a diagram illustrating a configuration of control unit 105 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in Figure 1B, control unit105 can comprise a computing device 125, which can be a general purpose computer(such as a PC), workstation, mainframe computer system, and so forth. Computing device 125 can include a processor device (or central processing unit "CPU") 130, a memory device 135, a storage device 140, a user interface 145, a system bus 150, and a communication interface 155. CPU 130 can be any type of processing device forcarrying out instructions, processing data, and so forth. Memory device 135 can be anytype of memory device including any one or more of random access memory ("RAM"), read-only memory ("ROM"), Flash memory, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory ("EEPROM"), and so forth. Storage device 140 can be any data storage device for reading/writing from/to any removable and/or integrated optical, magnetic,and/or optical-magneto storage medium, and the like (e.g., a hard disk, a compact disc-

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801417read-only memory "CD-ROM", CD-ReWritable "CD-RW", Digital Versatile Disc-ROM "DVD-ROM", DVD-RW, and so forth). Storage device 140 can also include a controller/interface (not shown) for connecting to system bus 150. Thus, memory device 135 and storage device 140 are suitable for storing data as well as instructionsfor programmed processes for execution on CPU 130. User interface 145 may include atouch screen, control panel, keyboard, keypad, display or any other type of interface, which can be connected to system bus 150 through a corresponding input/output device interface/adapter (not shown). Communication interface 155 may be adapted to communicate with any type of external device, including treatment unit 107.Communication interface 155 may further be adapted to communicate with any systemor network (not shown), such as one or more computing devices on a local area network ("LAN"), wide area network ("WAN"), the internet, and so forth. Interface 155 may be connected directly to system bus 150, or can be connected through a suitable interface (not shown). Control unit 105 can, thus, provide for executing processes, by itselfand/or in cooperation with one or more additional devices, that may include algorithmsfor controlling treatment unit 107 in accordance with the present invention. Control unit 105 may be programmed or instructed to perform these processes according to any communication protocol, programming language on any platform. Thus, the processes may be embodied in data as well as instructions stored in memory device 135 and/orstorage device 140 or received at interface 155 and/or user interface 145 for executionon CPU 130.Referring back to Figure 1A, treatment unit 107 may be a handheld device, an automated apparatus, and the like. Cooling/heating element 110 can include any type of cooling/heating component, such as a thermoelectric cooler and the like. Figure 1C is a diagram showing cooling/heating element 110 in accordance withan embodiment with the present invention. As shown in Figure 1C, cooling/heating element 110 can include a network of passages where a cooling/heating fluid flows through. The passages may be formed by any heat conducting tubing and the like. The cooling/heating fluid can be directed into element 110 through an input 175 andexpelled through an output 180. The cooling/heating fluid may be any fluid having acontrolled temperature, such as cooled air/gas or liquid. For example, a saltwater or

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801418acetone bath that is cooled using ice or frozen carbon dioxide may be used as a source of cooled liquid pumped through element 110. A circulating system may, thus, be formed where fluid expelled at output 180 is re-cooled at the fluid source and re-directed into input 175. The temperature of the fluid source and/or element 110, whichmay include the rate at which cooling fluid is pumped through element 110, can bemonitored and controlled by control unit 105. Thus, the temperature of cooling/heating element 110 can be controlled or programmed using control unit 105. As further shown in Figure 1C, there can be a temperature difference, AT, between regions of element 110. For example, heat from the target tissue may be transferred to the cooling fluidduring treatment causing fluid near output 180 to have a higher temperature than thecooling fluid near input 175. Such AT may be reduced by reducing the size of element 110. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the configuration of the passages in element 110 and the corresponding application of element 110 to target tissue can account for any difference in temperature needed for treating various tissuetargets. For example, the region of element 110 near exit 180 can be applied totreatment areas requiring a higher treatment temperature, and so forth. The passages of element 110 can, thus, be configured in accordance with the size, shape, formation, and so forth, of target tissue that require the various treatment temperatures.Cooling/heating fluid can also be pumped through element 110 in a pulsing manner. Referring back to Figure 1A, treatment interface 115 can be any type ofinterface between cooling/heating element 110 and the epidermis 160 for effecting treatment onto the epidermis 160, dennis 165 and fat cells 170. For example, treatment interface 115 may include a cooling (conductive) plate, a cooling fluid-filled vessel, a free-forming membrane (for a complementary interface with an uneven epidermis), aconvex cooling element (for example, as shown in Figure 3), and the like. Preferably,treatment interface 115 comprises a heat conducting material that complements the epidermis 160 for maximum heat transfer between cooling/heating element 110 and the epidermis 160, dermis 165 and/or fat cells 170. For example, treatment interface 115 can be a fluid-filled vessel or a membrane so that the change in pressure from coolingelement 110 caused by a pulsing flow of cooling fluid may be transferred to the targettissue. Furthermore, treatment interface 115 may simply be a chamber where

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801419cooling/heating fluid may be applied directly to the target tissue (epidermis 160, dermis and fat cells 170), for example by using a spraying device and the like.Detector 120 can be a temperature monitor, for example, a thermocouple, a thermistor, and the like. Detector 120 may include any thermocouple type, including.. Types T, E, J, K, G, C, D, R, S, B, for monitoring tissue cooling. Detector 120 mayalso include a thermistor, which can comprise thermally-sensitive resistors whose resistances change with a change in temperature. The use of thermistors may be

particularly advantageous because of their sensitivity. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a thermistor with a large negative temperature coefficient.. of resistance ("NTC") can be used. Preferably, a thermistor used for detector 120 mayhave a working temperature range inclusive of about ¨15 C to 40 C. Furthermore, detector 120 can include a thermistor with active elements of polymers or ceramics. A ceramic thermistor may be most preferable as these can have the most reproducible temperature measurements. A thermistor used for detector 120 can be encapsulated in a.. protective material such as glass. Of course, various other temperature-monitoringdevices can also be used as dictated by the size, geometry, and temperature resolution desired. Detector 120 can also comprise an electrode which can be used to measure the electrical resistance of the skin surface area. Ice formation within superficial skin structures like the epidermis or dermis causes an increased electrical resistance. This.. effect can be used to monitor ice formation within the dermis. Detector 120 can furtherconsist of a combination of several measurement methods.Detector 120 can, thus, extract, inter alia, temperature information from the epidermis 160, dermis 165 and/or fat cells 170 as feedback to control unit 105. The detected temperature information can be analyzed by control unit 105 based on inputted.. properties and/or parameters. For example, the temperature of fat cells 170 may bedetermined by calculation based on the temperature of the epidermis 160 detected by detector 120. Thus, treatment system 100 may non-invasively measure the temperature of fat cells 170. This information may then be used by control unit 105 for continuous feedback control of treatment unit 107, for example, by adjusting the.. energy/temperature of cooling/heating' element 110 and treatment interface 115, thusmaintaining optimal treatment temperature of target fat cells 170 while leaving

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/08014 surrounding epidermis 160 and dermis 165 intact. As described above, the cooling/heating element 110 can provide adjustable temperatures in the range of about ¨ 10 C up to 42 C. An automated temperature measurement and control sequence can be repeated to maintain such temperature ranges until a procedure is complete.5 It is noted that adipose tissue reduction by cooling lipid-rich cells may be evenmore effective when tissue cooling is accompanied by physical manipulation, for example, massaging, of the target tissue. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, treatment unit 107 can include a tissue massaging device, such as a vibrating device and the like. Alternative a piezoelectric transducer can be used within10 treatment unit 107 I order to provide mechanical oscillation or movement of the cooling/heating element 107 (or better treatment unit?). Detector 120 can include feedback devices for detecting changes in skin viscosity to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and/or to prevent any damage to surrounding tissue. For example, a vibration detecting device can be used to detect any change in the resonant frequency of the target tissue (or15 surrounding tissue), which can indicate a change in tissue viscosity, being mechanicallymoved or vibrated by a vibrating device contained in treatment unit 107.To further ensure that the epidermis 160 and/or the dermis 165 is not damaged by cooling treatment, an optical detector/feedback device can be used to monitor thechange of optical properties of the epidermis (enhanced scattering if ice formations20 occur); an electrical feedback device can be used to monitor the change of electricimpedance of the epidermis caused by ice formation in the epidermis; and/or an

ultrasound feedback device may be used for monitoring ice formation (actually to avoid) in the skin. Any such device may include signaling control unit 105 to stop or adjust treatment to prevent skin damage. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, treatment system 100 mayinclude a number of configurations and instruments. Algorithms that are designed for different types of procedures, configurations and/or instruments may be included for control unit 105.As shown in Figure 1D, treatment system 100 may include a probe controller175 and a probe 180 for minimal invasive temperature measurement of fat cells 170.Advantageously, probe 180 may be capable of measuring a more accurate temperature

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801421of fat cells 170, thereby improving the control of treatment unit 107 and the effectiveness of treatment.It is noted that treatment system 100 may be controlled remotely. For example,

the link between control unit 105 and treatment unit 107 may be a remote link (wired orwireless) providing control unit 105 remote control over cooling/heating element 110,treatment interface 115, probe controller 175, and probe 180.While the above exemplary treatment system 100 is illustrative of the basiccomponents of a system suitable for use with the present invention, the architecture shown should not be considered limiting since many variations of the hardware configuration are possible without departing from the present invention.Figure 2A illustrates a treatment system 200 for cooling fat cells 170 by folding the target tissue in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in Figure 2A, treatment system 200 may include corresponding control units 105 and treatment units 107 on two sides coupled to a compression unit 205. Compression unit205 may be adapted to pull treatment units 107 together, thereby folding (or "pinching")target tissue (epidermis 160, dermis 165 and fat cells 170) up between treatment units 107. The treatment interface 115 of the respective treatment units 107 on either side of the target tissue may thus cool fat cells 170 from multiple sides with greater

effectiveness, as described above. Detectors 120 can be included to measure andmonitor the temperature of the target tissue. As shown in Figure 2A, control units 105may be connected to form an integrated system. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the various components of system 200 may be controlled using any number of control unit(s).As described before, physical manipulation of target tissue may improve theeffectiveness of cooling treatment. In accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, compression unit 205 may vary the force with which treatment units 107 are pulled together around the target tissue (epidermis 160, dermis 165 and fat cells 170). For example, compression unit 205 can apply a pulsing force for alternately tightening and loosening the fold (or "pinch") of the target tissue. Resistance to the tightening canfurther be monitored for detecting any changes in the characteristics (for example, the

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801422viscosity) of the target tissue, and thus ensuring the effectiveness and safety of the treatment.Figure 2B illustrates system 200 with a probe 180 similar to that of system 100 shown in Figure 1C for minimal invasive temperature measurement of fat cells 170. Asdescribed above, probe 180 may be capable of measuring a more accurate temperatureof fat cells 170, thereby improving the control of treatment unit 107 and the effectiveness of treatment.Figures 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a treatment system 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3A, system 300 mayinclude a suction unit 305, and treatment unit 107 may include treatment interface 115having a curved surface, which for example forms a dome, for forming and containing a chamber 310 above the epidermis 160. As shown in Figure 3B, suction unit 305 may be activated to draw the air from chamber 310 such that target tissue (epidermis 160, dermis 165 and fat cells 170) is pulled up into contact with treatment interface 115.Advantageously, treatment interface 115 may surround target fat cells 170 for moreeffective cooling. Treatment interface 115 can consist of a solid stiff or flexible material, which is in contact with the skin or a thermal coupling agent between the skin surface and the treatment unit. The surface of the interface 115 can also have multiple openings connected to suction unit 305. The skin is partially entered into these mulipleopenings, which can increase the total surface area of the epidermis 160 in thermalcontact to the treatment interface (e.g., stretching of the skin). Stretching of the skin decreases the thickness of the epidermis and dermis, facilitating cooling of the fat 170. A number of detector(s) 120 and/or probe(s) 180 can be included in treatment system 300 for monitoring tissue temperature during treatment, as described above withreference to Figures 1A, 1C, 2A and 2B, detailed description of which will not berepeated here.Figure 4 illustrates a treatment system 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in Figure 4, suction unit 305 can be connected to a ring opening around treatment interface 115 so that, when activated, a suction seal 410 isformed with the epidermis 160 around treatment interface 115. As a result, treatmentcan be effected at treatment interface 115 to an isolated target tissue area.

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801423Advantageously, the subject or body part may be immersed in a warming bath and thetreatment at interface 115 can be unaffected. Consequently, treatment area can be increased while a surrounding warming environment can prevent general hypothermia. Figures 5A and 5B are diagrams showing a treatment system 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 5A and 5B,treatment system 500 may form a band (or cylinder) around a target tissue mass 515. Treatment system 500 may comprise any flexible or rigid material. Cooling/heating fluid can be pumped through treatment system 500 via input 175 and output 180, as shown in Figure 5B. Cooling/heating element 110 can be formed by an internal vesselor a network of passages, such as tubing and the like. Heat transfer with target tissuemass 515 can be effected via treatment interface 115, which can include any heat conducting material. Treatment system 500 can further include a fastening mechanism 510, such as a hook and loop fastener and the like, for fastening and wrapping around tissue mass 515. Furthermore, treatment interface 115 can include a flexible materialsuch that the pressure of cooling fluid pumped through treatment system 500 can betransferred to the target tissue 515. For example, with reference to Figure 5A, treatment system 500 can apply inward pressure to target tissue mass 515. Target tissue mass 515 can be any section, body part or extremity of a subject. For example, target tissue mass 515 can be an arm, the upper or lower leg, the waist, and so forth, of a subject. Thepressure and flow of the cooling fluid in system 500 can be controlled by control unit105 to an optimal treatment temperature and/or pressure. A tight fit around tissue mass 515 and increased inward pressure can also allow for the subject to be immersed in a warming bath. As described before, fluid flow can be a pulsing flow.The present invention is additionally described by way of the followingillustrative, non-limiting Examples, that provide a better understanding of the presentinvention and of its many advantages

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801424EXAMPLES Example 1 Selective Damage to Fatty Tissue by Controlled Cooling In Vivo Methods of the present invention were carried out on a white, 6 months old,female, Hanford miniature pig ("Pig I") and a black, 6 months old, female YucatanMiniature Pig ("Pig II"). The pigs were anesthetized using Telazol/Xylazine (4.4 mg/kg im + 2.2 mg/kg im). Inhalant anesthetics (Halothane or Isoflurane (1.5-3.0%) with Oxygen (3.0 L/min) was delivered by mask and filtered with an F-Air canister only if the injectable anesthetics did not provide enough somatic analgesia. Several test siteswere be marked with micro tattoos by applying India Ink to the corners of each testsites. After mapping of the test sites cold exposures were performed using a cooling device as described in Figure 1A. The area of the treatment interface was a flat area of the size of 2 x 4 cm2 with a built-in temperature sensor. The interface was in thermal contact with a thermoelectric chiller, which was electronically regulated by a controlunit such that the temperature at the surface of the interface was kept constant to a pre-set temperature. During the cold exposure the cooling device was applied to the skin with minor to moderate pressure that did not cause significant mechanical compression of blood flow. The cooling element was applied to the skin without any manipulation of the surface profile. Various combinations of pre-set cooling interface temperatures and exposuretimes were tested. For some sites a thermo-conductive lotion was applied between the skin and the cooling interface. This thermoconductive lotion consisted mainly of glycerol. Pig I was observed for 61 days until excision biopsies from all test sites were procured and the pig was sacrified. From test Site C there was an additional punchbiopsy procured at day 2.The biopsies were processed for routine light microscopy and stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin. The indicated temperature is that of the applied cooling element. Table 1 depicts the parameters of the cooling application and the results obtained at various sites in Pig I:

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801426Pig II was observed for 50 days until excision biopsies from all test sites wereprocured and the pig was sacrificed. From test Site E an additional biopsy was procured at day 17. The biopsies were processed for routine light microscopy and stained withHematoxylin & Eosin as described above. The indicated temperature is that of theapplied cooling element. Table 2 depicts the parameters of the cooling application andthe results obtained at various sites in Pig II:

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801428Figure 6 depicts an image of the skin surface of test Sites D, E and F of Pig II, 17 days after exposure. An indentation that matches the site of the cold exposure can be seen at 1, which mathches test Site D and 2, which matches test Site E. No abnormal epidermal changes can be seen at these test sites. At 3, which matches the test Site F,where aggressive cooling methods were applied, damage to the epidermis is pronounced(e.g., loss of pigmentation and a central crust formation).Figure 7 depicts histology of test Site E (Pig II), 17 days after cold exposure at -9 C for 5 minutes, in samples taken from an area below the site of cold exposure. Figure 7A depicts a low power magnification (1,25x) and Figure 7B depicts a close upwith medium power maginification (5x) of the same specimen. The epidermis 701,dermis 702, subcutaneous adipose 703 and muscle layer 704 are shown. The histology reveals signs of lobular and septal panniculits within subcutaneous adipose 703, which is an inflammation of the adipose tissue. The average size of fat cells is decreased compared to the sample from the unexposed area. No evidence of tissue alterations is seen in the epidermis, dermis or muscle layer.A decrease in subcutaneous adipose tissue was demonstrated by clinical observation of indentation within the skin surface at the precise site of cooling, as well as by histology (Hematoxylin & Eosin staining). Figure 8A, B, C, D, E, and F depicts histology 50 days after exposure with low power maginification of 2.5x (Figures 8A,8C and 8E) and medium power maginification of 5x (Figures 8B, 8D and 8F) of testSite C (Figures 8A and 8B), test Site E (Figures 8C and 8D) and test Site F (Figures 8E and 8F). The epidermis 801 and dermis 802 is not damaged in test Sites C and E while the more aggressive cooling regime applied to test Site F resulted in damage to the epidermis and dermis (e.g., scar formation and inflammation can be seen). Thesubcutaneous adipose 803 shows a decrease of adipocyte size and structural changes(e.g., apparent condensation of the fat cell layer with fibrous septae is included in the condensated fat layer). As a result of the aggressive cooling regime applied to test Site F, almost the entire layer was removed, leaving only some residual fat cell clusters. Thus, where an aggressive cooling regime is applied (test Site F) non- selective and pronounced damage is observed in the epidermis and dermis.

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801429Taken together, the results demonstrate that selective disruption of subcutaneousadipose tissue is achieved using cooling methods of the present invention without causing damage to the epidermis and dermis.Measurement of temperature during skin surface cooling at ¨7 C applied withpressure sufficient to stop skin blood flow, was performed to illustrate the time- anddepth- dependence of cooling, in a live pig. Thermocouples inserted at depths of 0, 2, 4, and 8 millimeters were used to record temperature. Although the conditions of this experiment were not ideal (the skin cooler did not maintain strictly ¨7 C at the surface), it is clear that cooling of the dermis (2 mm) and fat (4 mm, 8 mm) occurred generally as expected (see for example, Figure 10).Example 2 Temperature profile Measurements at Various Tissue Depths This study was performed using a 6-months old female black, hairless Yucatan Minipig (Sinclair Research Center, Columbia, MO). The pig will was anesthetizedusing Telazol/Xylazine (4.4 mg/kg im + 2.2 mg/kg im). Inhalant anesthetic (Halothaneor Isoflurane (1.5-3.0%) with Oxygen (3.0 L/min) was delivered by mask and filtered with an F-Air canister only if the injectable anesthetic did not provide enough somatic analgesia. The test sites were marked with micro tattoos by applying India Ink to the corners of each test site and inserting hypodermic needles into such test site comers.The cold exposure was performed with a convex round copper plate attached to a heatexchanger, which was chilled by a circulating cooling agent tempered to ¨7 C. The exposure time ranged between 600 to 1200s. Table 3 depicts the parameters of the cooling application and the results obtained at various sites in Pig III. The cold plate had three central openings of approximately lmm in diameter through whichthermocouples were placed to monitor the temperature profile at different depth of thetissue during cold exposure. The cold exposure device, shown in Figure 9, was firmly held to the test site during cold exposure. Cold exposures were performed on two different experimental days, one week apart. On the first experimental day the

thermocouples were occasionally displaced during the cold exposure leading to a 0.5mm variability of the thermocouple depth measurement. An additional set ofexposures with thermocouples were performed on the second experimental day at well-

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/08014defined depths with minimal to no variability in the depth of the thermocouples. Thelocation of the thermocouples on the first experimental day for test Sites 1,2,3,7,11 and12 was at 2.5, 4.5 and 10 mm depth (+/- 0.5mm). Test Sites 14,15,16 and18 were treated on the second experimental day at a thermocouple depth of 2, 4 and 8 mm, with5 minimal to no displacement. A certain variability of the thermocouple depth may stillbe present due to tissue compression during the cold exposure exposure. A glycol containing solution was used to ensure good thermal contact at the skin surface. The pig was observed for 3 V2 months after treatment, until sacrificed and the tissue of the test sites harvested for analysis. Table 3 depicts the parameters of the cooling 10 application and the results obtained at various sites in Pig III:

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801432The test sites were exposed to the device, set to a coolant temperature of ¨7 C and exposed for 600 to 1200s. The dermis hardened immediately after the cold exposure, as determined by palpation, and became viscose as it returned to its normal temperature, approximately a minute after exposure. There was no epidermal damageor alteration evident by close-up examination with polarized magnifier lens minutesafter exposure. There was no blister formation and Nikolsky-sign was negative. During the entire survival period there was no gross damage to the epidermis. No crusting, blister or pronounced pigmentary changes were observed. Some test sites exhibits a minor increase in epidermal pigmentation. This mild hyperpigmentation could be removed after few months by gentle rubbing of the epidermis.The temperature measurements of the thermocouples depended on depth, body location, and the pressure with which cooling was applied. The temperature plots at different tissue depths during the cold exposure are shown in Figures 10 A-J for various test sites and are also summarized in Table 3. For some test sites, temperatureoscillations that might be related to a nearby blood vessel was observed. Sometemperature plots were not considered due to movements or misplacement of the thermocouple (labeled 'error' in table 3). The temperature within the deep dermis or superficial fat layer is within the range of ¨2 C to ¨4 C. The temperature within 4-5 mm depth is within the range of about 0 C to 7 C depending on variations in contactpressure and anatomical area. This location demonstrated a high variability of thedifferent temperature plots. The temperature within 8-10 mm depth, which corresponds to a depth within the subcutaneous fat layer had a temperature in the range of 7-24 C.Histology of a control (Site 9) and cold exposed site (Site 8) (-7 C, 600s) was procured 6 days post exposure and analyzed by a dermatopathologist. The following was described at the control and the cold exposed site:The epidermis of both samples is normal and exhibits basket-woven stratum comeum with normal thickness, normal rete ridges as compared to the control.Within the cold exposed site there is a mild perivascular, lymphocytic infiltrate present. However no frank signs of vasculitis present in both samples.

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801433The subcutaneous fat of the control exhibit the normal morphology. The subcutaneous fat of the cold exposed site exhibits clear signs of lobular and septal panniculitis. Most of the adipocytes are surrounded by lymphocytic infiltrate with occational lipid containing macrophages. The thickness of the subcutaneous septae isincreased. Mild vascular changes however no frank signs of vasculitis. Three and onehalf months after the cold exposure the pig was sacrificed and tissue at the exposure sites was harvested by full thickness excision, after 20 MHz ultrasound imaging was performed through selected test sites. The in-vivo ultrasound images clearly demonstrated loss of fatty tissue in the area of treatment by skin cooling vs. the non-cold exposed surrounding tissue. An in-vivo ultrasound image 3 1/2 months after coldexposure is shown in Figure 11.The harvested tissue was cut macroscopically through the test sites and images

were taken from the macroscopic tissue cross-sections. The macroscopic cross sections of Sites 1,3,11,12 and 18 are shown in Figure 13 A-E. A decrease of the thickness of thesubcutaneous fat layer was observed for all cold exposed sites vs. the non-cold exposedadjacent fat layer. The macroscopic cross sections matched well with the ultrasound images. Two different compartments within the subcutaneous fat could be identified, a superficial fat layer and a deep fat layer. Thickness of the superficial fat layer was dramatically reduced at sites of cold treatment, while the deep fat layer was notsignificantly changed. The percentage of decrease of the superficial fat layer inside thetest area vs. outside is listed for some test sites in Table 3. A change of the subcutaneous fat layer was observed for cold exposed Sites 1,11,12 and 18. The

average decrease of thickness for the superficial fat layer within the evaluated test sites was 47%. For the unexposed control side, no significant decrease of thickness was found in either fat layer.These examples confirm that it is possible in a pig model to achieve selective

tissue damage of the subcutaneous adipose tissue by external cooling within a specific range of external cooling temperature and exposure time, without significant damage to the epidermis and dermis. Removal of subcutaneous fat was also demonstrated by anobvious indentation at the treated skin surface, which matched exactly with the coolingexposure, and with the measurements of the fat layer in relation to the cold exposure

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/0801434site by ultrasound and macroscopic cross sections after sacrifice. Pronouced histological changes, which were selective to the subcutaneous adipose tissue were observed 6 days after cold exposure. Histologically a panniculitis with a decrease in fat cell size was observed. There was evidence that the response to the cold can vary fordifferent sites and that the more superficial fat layer is more affected by tissue loss thanthe deeper fat layer. The results of Pig III however imply that there is enhanced fat removal at the superficial fat layer vs. the deeper layer. The explanation for this is a) the superficial fat layer is exposed to colder temperatures because of the gradient and/or b) the deeper fat layer in pigs may be less susceptible to selective cold damage. Figure 9 depicts an image of the device for the cold exposure of Pig III. Thecold copper plate 91 is brought in contact with the skin. The temperature profile within the skin during cold exposure is measured by thermocouples 92 inserted into the tissue in different depths. The device is spring loaded 93 to provide a pressure during the cold exposure. Figures 10 depicts the temperature profile in various depths during the coldexposure of Pig III for different test Sites:10A (Site 1), 10B (Site 2), 10C (Site 7), 10D (Site 11), 10E (Site 12), 1OF (Site 13), 10G (Site 14), 10H (Site 15), 101 (Site 16) and 10J (Site 18). The temperature in various depths is labeled with T3-E (surface), TO-B (2-2.5mm), Tl-C (4-5mm) and T2-D (8-10mm).Figure 11 depicts an ultrasound image of test Site 11 taken 3 1/2 months afterexposure. The section below 1105 is outside the cold exposed area the section below 1106 is within the cold exposed area. The dermis1102 can be clearly distinguished from the fat layer 1103 and the muscular layer 1104. Within the fat layer 1103 two distinct layers can be distinguished: the superficial fat layer 1103a and the deep fat layer1103b. The ultrasound image matches well with the macroscopic cross section of thesame tissue in Figure 13c.Figure 12 depicts histology of test Site 8 (Figure 12A and 12B) six days after

cold exposure (-7 C, 600s) and test Site 9, which is an unexposed control (Figure 12Cand 12D). The micrographs show an image of low power magnification (1,25x) inFigures 12A and 12C and a medium power magnification (5x) in Figure 12B and 12D.The images showing the epidermis 701, the dermis 702 and the subcutaneous fat 703.

CA 02478887 2004-09-08WO 03/078596 PCT/US03/08014While the unexposed control exhibits normal tissue morphology, the cold-exposed tissue exhibits clear signs of panniculitis in the subcutaneous fat. Inflammatory cells have migrated into this area and the average fat cell size is decreased.Figures 13 A- E depict macroscopic sections through the center of different test5 Sites after the pig was sacrificed, 3 4 months after cold exposure: 13A (Site 1), 13B(Site 3), Figure 13C (Site 11), Figure 13D (Site 12) and Figure 13E (Site 18). Each Figure exhibits a scale 1300, which has 1 cm units and lmm subunits. The epidermis 1301, the dermis 1302, the superficial fat layer 1303 and the deep fat layer 1304. For the unexposed control Figure 13B no change of thickness of different layers can be10 seen. Figures 13A, 13C, 13D and 13E show the cross section of cold exposed areas,which is matched to the central 4-5 cm of tissue and non-cold exposed areas surround. A decrease of thickness within the superficial fat layer of the cold exposed areas vs. the non-cold exposed areas can be seen in all cold exposed samples. The change in % of thickness for each of the sample is listed in Table 3.15 A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless,it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

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